U.S. policy to foster democracy and protect human rights
springs from American ideals and our national interest. From the
signing of the Declaration of Independence, to the fight against
slavery and racial inequality, to standing up to totalitarian menaces,
Americans have proved capable of turning this vision into action.

We will take concrete steps to help the builders of democracy,
and we will not shy away from criticizing human rights violators.

Freedom and human dignity are indivisible. And so it follows
that our policies are aimed at expanding liberties. America engages
countries through diplomacy and hands-on projects that strengthen
democracy and protect human rights.

Mongolia is a democracy, Mali is a democracy, Mexico is a
democracy, but they are all different kinds of democracies. Since each
country is different, we do not have a cookie-cutter approach to
helping strengthening democracy - our approaches vary from country to
country.

Increasingly, policymakers are considering democracy and human
rights as key factors in determining levels of foreign assistance. For
example, democracy and human rights reporting underpin both the
U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative and Millennium Challenge
Account proposal.